Lotus Of The Leaf ~Book One~

Chapter 6! The Assassin of the Mist!

The boat rocked gently as we drifted through the water. Everything was silent. "This fogs so thick, you can't see anything." Sakura whispered. Naruto just sat silently at the front of the boat, most likely pouting.

"The bridge isn't far now.... Our destinations just up ahead. The Land of Waves." The boat man said quietly. I leaned against Sasuke's shoulder, letting my eyes slipped closed as I relaxed myself. I had been on edge ever since earlier, and seeing Kakashi ripped apart was... devastating. Even if it was just a substitution.

"Hm?" I hear Naruto murmur. It's quiet for a moment, and I think he's just thinking, but he shouts not soon after. "WOAH! IT'S HUGE!" Naruto screamed.

I jumped nearly a foot into the air, my arms immediately wrapping around Sasuke's to ground myself. Sasuke just smirked down at me as I palmed my heart, willing it to slow down.

"What? Quiet! I told you no noise! Cutting the engine and rowing. Moving through the dense fog so they don't see us." The boatman snapped angrily at the blond moron. I looked over at Naruto with a scowl as he clamped his hands over his mouth.

"Mr. Tazuna." Kakashi started. "Before we reach the pier, I want to ask you something." We all turned to look at them. "Then who are after you. I need to know why. If you don't tell us, I'm afraid I'll have to end this mission when we drop you ashore." He explained. The old man grunted a bit.

"I have no choice, but to tell you. No, I want you to know the truth." Tazuna started. "Like you said; This is beyond the scope of your original mission. The one who seeks my life is a very short man, who casts a very long, deadly shadow." Tazuna explains.

"A deadly shadow?" I question lightly, cocking my head.

"Who is it?" Kakashi asks.

"You know him. At least, I'm sure you've heard his name before. He's one of the wealthiest men in the world. The shipping mangate, Gato."

"Gato? Of Gato Transport?" I ask, astonished.

"He's a business leader, everyone knows him." Kakashi adds.

"Who, who? What, what?" Naruto begs.

"Gato. He's a very powerful tycoon from a famous company, that's true. But below the surface, with the same ruthless methods he uses to take over corporations; he sells drugs and contraband, using gangs and ninja. It was one year ago, when Gato set his sights on the Land of Waves. He came to our island and used his vast wealth to take control of our transport shipping. Anyone who tried to stand in his way, disappeared. In an island nation of a man who controls the sea, controls everything. Finance, government, our very lives. But there's one thing he fears. The bridge! When it's complete, it will join us to the land and that will break his control! I, am the bridge builder." Tazuna declares.

"So that's it. Since you're in charge of the bridge, you're standing in this gangsters way." Sakura says.

"That means, those guys we fought in the forest, they were working for Gato." I add.

"I don't understand. If you knew he was dangerous, knew he'd send ninja to eliminate you, why did you hide that from us?" Kakashi asked.

"Because the Land of Waves, is a small, impoverish nation. Even our nobles have little money." Tazuna admits. "The common people are building this bridge. They can't pay for an A or B ranked mission. It's too expensive. If you end the mission when you drop me ashore, there will be no bridge. They'll assassinate me before I reach home." He finished. We all just stared. "But.... don't feel bad about that!" Tazuna started, and I immediately knew he was going after the softie, Kakashi. "Of course, my sweet, little grandson will be upset. He'll cry; 'Granddad! I want my granddad!'" He kept saying. "Oh, and my daughter will condemn the ninja of the Hidden Leaves, denouncing you for abandoning her father, and living her life in sorrow." He said. I sighed heavily, palming my cheek. "Ah well, It's not your fault, forget it!"